Improvement in hog-traps



,2 Sheets-Sheetl. .F.- A. LESLIE.

HOG TRAP. .No.179,-8OZ Patented J u 1y11,1876.

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WITNESSES I INVENTOR',

. ATTORNEYS MPETERS. PHQTOJJTHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON. D. .Q

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK A. LESLIE, OF ELKHART, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN HOG-TRAPS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 179,802, dated July 11, 1876; application filed May 27, 1876. I

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1,-FRANK A. LESLIE, of

Elkhart, in the county of Logan and State of,

2 is a horizontal section view thereof. Fig.

3 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of the same.

My invention relates to automatic hog-traps for use in castrating hogs and other animals; and the natureof my invention consistsin adjustable jaws, which are pivoted at opposite ends and operated by a loaded lever, and, also, in an eccentric, a spring-catch, and a hinged platform adapted to be operated by the weight of the hog, and in auxiliary devices, substantially as hereinafter set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, A represents the bottom of my trap, upon which fencing B is erected to form a pen. The front of the trap is composed of a vertical frame, (J, which has a central opening, O Frame 0 is also provided in front with vertical standards 0 G and with abutments G C 0 G which form guideways G G for the bottom of jaws D D.

The function of these jaws is to close the openiugc and thereby secure the hog by the neck as he endeavors to pass through. To adapt them to this purpose their proximate edges are recessed at d (1, so as to leave an oblong slit when drawn together. The jaw D is pivoted at its lower end; but the jaw D is pivoted at its upper end, so that its lower end swings to and fro in guideway 0 The upper ends of bars D and D are connected by rod, bar, or plate a, which is pivoted to them so as to allow free play. The jaw D is connected by bar or bars 1), preferably constructed of iron, and pivoted at both ends, like bar a, to a lever, E, which bears a weight, E, at or near its outer end. Lever E is pivoted between frame 0 and vertical stardard G on the opposite side of opening 0, so that the operation of said weight on thelonger arm of said lever is to force together jaws D and D, and so close the opening 0 The device is tripped by the following mechanism: The short end of leverE is connected by a link or bar, F, with an eccentric, G, which is pivoted in a slot, H, in an extension of frame (J at the bottom thereof. The face of this eccentric nearest to said frame is-notched at intervals to regulate the proximity of jaws D and D to one another, and these notches engage with spring-latch I, one end of which lies upon the end of bent trigger J, and which is adapted to be raised by said trigger out of engagement with said notches. This trigger J is operated by an arm K, which is piv'oted to hinged spring-platform L. As soon as the fore legs of the hogs, in passing through the opening 0 depress this hinged platform the trap is sprung.

The surface of long arm of lever E may be provided with a succession of notches for regulating the power exerted by weight E, according as it is moved to or from the end of lever E. It is also provided with a fixed rackbar, 0, which engages with pawl c, pivoted to frame 0, and is locked thereby after the trap is sprung and the hog is caught. The free end 1 of spring-platform L is recessed, so as to fit the space between abutments O O and G C and the bottom of jaw D is also reoessed, so as to slide freely over end Z of 'platform L when the same is depressed. A detachable pin, M, passing through vertical standard (9 and frame 0, may be used to hold up the long end of lever E, andprevent the trap from operating. The outer abutments U G of frame 0 are brought sufficiently near together to prevent the hog from turning aside as he passes through the opening and he is thus compelled to tread upon the platform. Loose arm 0 may be placed horizontally across the front of frame G to prevent hogs from jumping. A suitable rigid sill, P, is secured to floor A as a guard for the loose end of platform L. It compels the hogs to step upon instead of knocking against the same.

Q is a lever pivoted to frame 0 at the back thereof, and provided with a hanging arm, q, (or arm q may stand upright and form a pivot i for lever Q,) to which a suitable griping delever acting thereon, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination with the jaws D D arrangedas described, of the weighted lever E,

connecting bar or bars 1)., bar F, pivoted notched eccentric Gr, spring latch I, hinged platform L, and trigger J, all constructed, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

FRANK ALBERT LESLIE.

Witnesses:

J. R. LAUTERMAN, FRANK BICE. 

